Former Warrior faces fight with ALS

A former star football player in Wantagh, 56-year-old Tim McNally can no longer button his own shirt or tie his own shoes. Last year, he was diagnosed with ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

ALS is a degenerative disease of the nervous system. Motor neurons die off, and the brain’s ability to control muscle movement is lost. McNally is mostly paralyzed.

A fundraiser will be held at Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall on Thursday, Oct. 9 to raise money for McNally. Funds will be used to build a handicapped bathroom in his Wantagh home, and for medical expenses.

The event will include an open bar, buffet dinner, entertainment, raffles, live auction by John Theissen, and a penny auction. Sports memorabilia will be among the items up for bid. Advance tickets are $50, which includes entry into the door prize raffle.

McNally attended St. Francis de Chantal Catholic school, and graduated from Wantagh High School in 1976. He played football and lacrosse for the Warriors, and served as team captain. “He was a gifted player,” said his sister, Susan Daniele, who is organizing the fundraiser.

Daniele said that is has been hard to see her brother suffer the way he has over the past year. The life expectancy for someone with ALS is one to five years from the time of diagnosis.

“It’s a really, really bad disease,” she said. “Unfortunately, it’s progressing quickly.”

McNally, who lived in Florida for several years and owned a power washing business, returned to Wantagh after being diagnosed, so his family could care for him. He is one of 10 siblings, and has a 26-year-old daughter who suffers from multiple sclerosis.

For those who can’t attend next week’s fundraiser, donations can be made online at www.gofundme.com/cx6y74.